The small northwestern BC community of Smithers will continue to have private security guards patrol its homeless camp until the fall, when the city’s mayor said he hopes another solution will be found.
“I think the combination of the temporary winter shelter, which closed (March 31), and the safety and the seasonality — in that some people will find other shelter during the cold weather — all made a difference in the winter months,” Gladys Atrill said.
Since the BC Housing-funded emergency warming shelter in the former Fabrications building closed, the city expects to soon have 14 to 20 people living in the camp, where about four to seven people stayed over the winter.
The town of 5,400 does not have a permanent homeless shelter, and the encampment on the edge of Veterans Peace Park across from the municipal hall has been expanding since 2020.
Last year, Smithers council approved spending up to $234,000 a year on private security to monitor the officially designated Temporary Overnight Accommodation Area (TOSA) and conduct roving patrols in the town centre.
Two Blue Hawk security guards began on October 1, 2025 on a six-month trial basis, and to help maintain public safety, the city has extended their contract for weekday night and 24/7 weekend patrols through November 2026.
“It’s money that we’ve made the decision to spend in order to try to create the best circumstances we can for everybody,” Atrill told Global News. “We’re hoping that by next fall we’ll have something in place and you know, what exactly that looks like I don’t know, but it will ideally provide, some shelter, the services that the shelter provided.”
The homeless encampment in Smithers will remain until the fall, officials say, when they hope a more permanent solution will be in place.
City of Smithers
In February, the City of Smithers said it was selected as one of the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs and BC Housing’s HEART and HEARTH communities.
Funded by the province under BC’s homelessness plan, Homeless Action Response Teams or (HEAR) increase coordinated outreach services, while Homeless Action Response Temporary Housing or (HEARTH) helps create new shelters and temporary accommodation spaces.
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Smithers, according to BC Housing, is one of 15 local governments partnering with the province to deploy HEART and/or HEARTH.
“The HEART and HEARTH program focuses on both outreach and housing support, helping people with addictions and mental health challenges connect to services while also providing physical shelter and pathways to stable housing,” Smithers Community Services Director Samantha LeBlanc said in an email.
BC Housing and Smithers will explore possibilities for a HEARTH site.
“We’re in conversation now…about a permanent housing space, location and support to make sure it’s well integrated into the community,” BC Housing Minister Christine Boyle said Thursday.
The city said it will work closely with BC Housing to explore options for housing opportunities and increased on-the-ground support for those who need it most.
“Council has also sought clear public engagement as part of the process with BC Housing so that we can seek solutions that our community supports,” Smithers community services director Samantha LeBlanc said in an email.
“The HEART and HEARTH program in Smithers, as well as a permanent supportive housing project that has been working closely with the mayor and council there will continue to make a difference as well, in bringing people home,” Boyle told Global News in an interview.
“I know there’s no solution that everyone will like, but I really appreciate the ministry and the minister reaching out,” Atrill said. “We’re going to walk this road together and see what’s the best we can do for this period of time before shelter and permanent shelter opens up.”
The homeless encampment in Smithers will remain until the fall, officials say, when they hope a more permanent solution will be in place.
City of Smithers
The Alfred Avenue project was announced in January 2024 and will provide 40 supportive housing units along with 20 permanent housing beds.
According to BC Housing, construction is expected to begin this summer with an anticipated opening date of spring 2028.
The Bulkley Valley Harm Reduction Society, which operated the temporary winter shelter at 3892 3rd Avenue, directed an interview request to BC Housing.
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